#237 4 - 10 March 2005 16 pages Rs 30

KUNDA DIXIT

epal’s donors who have taken a strong line against NKing Gyanendra’s February First move will meet soon to decide on future aid to Nepal. My cell Despite the sharp rhetoric, they appear torn between using Lifeblood An alarm clock, camera, video the aid leverage to push the king game, palmtop, digital phone civil liberties. But they add taking directory, paperweight. The to roll back February First while hasty decisions may hurt those Donors want to use the aid only thing it isn't is a phone. maintaining humanitarian and in need. development assistance to Nepal’s “There are lots of poor and transfusion to push rollback on p 8-9 poorest and the army’s counter- excluded people…and nobody curbs, but are wary of hurting insurgency capability. wants to put them under greater The government is putting on pressure or reduce the poor a brave face. First deputy the impact on chairman of the council of poverty,” Robert J ministers, Tulsi Giri, told us: “If Smith of the they don’t understand, we’re not British aid going to go down on our hands group, DfID and knees to grovel.” told us. King Gyanendra hasn’t yet met Other key ambassadors who returned donors have after consultations in their suspended some capitals last week. But he did projects and say they will channel Weekly Internet Poll # 174 summon editors on 25 February money through civil society. Q. Does this internet poll generally reflect to signal donors they should prevalent public opinion about Nepali “We will not be signing any issues? choose between “terrorism and new project or program agreement democracy”. The king added: “We with the government until further need our friends to help us in notice, but our support for the word and deed, if fighting work NGOs and civil society has terrorism is not their agenda, they not been directly impacted,” said Total votes:1072 have to tell us what is.” Martin Hermann of the Danish Weekly Internet Poll # 175. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com British ambassador Keith Embassy. Q... Should mobile phone services now be Bloomfield flew back to Brussels However, the government says restored? to attend a high-level European it wants INGOs to re-register and Union meeting on Thursday that work only with vetted groups, is charting a common line on the saying funds crisis. Nepal’s main donors are need to be Editorial p2 meeting again in London on 15 monitored so Let's backtrack March to harmonise their it doesn’t get positions. Nepal’s human rights into the wrong hands. Donors find record will also come under this unacceptable saying they may international spotlight later pull out if the rule is enforced. this month at the UN in Geneva. Not all donors have been as China, Pakistan, Russia and tough, and multilaterals have other Asian governments have taken a softer line. The Japanese said it is an internal matter, but are expected to announce two Nepal’s main donors say the agriculture projects next week. The king’s move will make it more World Bank said it was difficult to resolve the insur- “postponing” a $70 million gency. The question is what to tranche of its anti-poverty do about it. Britain signaled its budgetary support, but this had displeasure by suspending already been decided in December military aid but army sources because of previous governments' pooh-poohed it saying hard- failure to meet reform targets. The ware in the pipeline was not ADB clarified this week it wasn’t substantial. stopping its projects, but field Bilateral donors want to activities would be determined by link future aid to release of the security situation. political detainees, lifting the emergency and restoration of Reporting also by Naresh Newar 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 15 Happily ever after

CHIANG MAI—Fifty-five wanted to be one of the 55 newly-married couples from all couples. We had just got over the world came together married so we jumped at the in a northern Thai town this chance,” says Vivek. There week to tie the knot or renew were 55 couples because this their vows in mass nuptials. year is also the 55th wedding Our own Vivek and anniversary of Thailand’s Ayushma (circled, below) king and queen. INDRA DHOJ KSHETRI were also there, riding The wedding was BUMPER-TO-BUMPER: The monstrous traffic jam on the Mugling- elephants, dressing up in elaborate: it spanned three traditional Thai wedding gowns days starting with traditional Narayanghat highway on Saturday after a three-week rebel blockade was and re-marrying in the dancing on the tarmac as they lifted. traditional Lanna style. “It was stepped off the plane in everything we expected and Chiang Mai. There were more,” gushed an ecstatic ceremonial fireworks, Ayushma, 25, as she was elephant rides, special silk whisked from one venue to costumes and sight-seeing. another on hubby Vivek’s Ayushma is an intern at arms. ICIMOD and asked what the Vivek is the sales most special thing about the manager of Yeti Travels wedding was, she thinks for a looking after Royal Orchid moment and replies: “It was Holidays, so it was fitting that all so grand. I guess the Thai International should invite fireworks display on the last him for this legendary Chiang night was the most Mai Wedding extravaganza. overwhelming.” “Thai called and asked if we Aarti Basnyat AARTI BASNYAT

KIRAN PANDAY SUN AND MOON: Pancha Kanyas take part in a peace rally in Kathmandu on Wednesday organised by the Nagarik Mul Samaroha 2061.

KIRAN PANDAY THE WORLD’S A STAGE: Jat Sodhnu Jogi Ko a play directed by Anup Baral performed at the Sama Theatre, Gurukul on Sunday.

KIRAN PANDAY DUET DUELS: A dohari competetion at Bhrikuti Mandap organised by the Nepal Lok Dohari Byabasahi Sangh on Monday.

NOT ACCIDENTAL TOURISTS: PATA Chairman Ram Kohli, CEO Peter De Jong and General Manager of Soaltee Crown Plaza, Rajiv Malla, making rounds of the hotel during De Jong’s official visit to Kathmandu this week. SOUTH ASIA 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 11 Could this be the end of Laloodom? Uniting all sections of people safeguards democratic freedoms

J SRI RAMAN leader Ram Bilas Paswan, who makes no ‘Mandal’ against ‘kamandal’. Mandal is the credence to the belief that such cracks have common cause with the RJD. And it is all platform of social justice to be achieved developed in the Laloo constituency as the worse for the performance of the pre- through caste-based reservations in well. Fascism can be fought only by echnically, of course, Laloo Prasad poll alliance of the far-right BJP and the employment and education. Kamandal is uniting all sections of the people against it Yadav has not yet lost. He is still JDU, which has won a surprising 93 seats. the symbol for the communal-fascist camp. as a threat to all democratic freedoms. T trying to form a government in Bihar The elections have produced a hung Mandal proved an inadequate counter This is the broader lesson of the Bihar with wife Rabri Devi as the chief minister. assembly. In vain does Laloo ask his to kamandal for various reasons. Though it results. There is little doubt, however, that the supporters not to lose heart. The RJD may consolidates the beneficiary castes, the voters’ verdict in the recent elections to the have ended up the single largest party but Mandal process inevitably leads to cracks The writer is a journalist and peace state assembly has gone against the leader there is no way the fact of the party’s in the constituency. The Bihar results lend activist based in Chennai. who held unchallenged sway for the past failure to retain its earlier electoral support, 15 years. What needs to be debated is the spelling an easy majority, can be wished main cause of this political metamorphosis away. The fact is of more far-reaching in a region that has riveted media attention significance than many a media analysis of ever since his advent upon the scene. the results may suggest. A fake and futile debate has followed Laloo is a larger-than-state personality. the verdict. Some, in effect, say Laloo The decline of his political strength, Prasad has been defeated but not disgraced. therefore, has a larger-than-state Others argue that he has been disgraced but significance. not defeated. It is a defective debate on two Nothing reveals this counts. It makes personality politics better than the glee appear the main point at issue and it in the BJP-led interprets the election outcome in camp, even if the party immediate terms alone. itself may seem to have Laloo Prasad’s RJD won only 74 seats in slender chance of capturing power a house of 243. This is bad enough for a in Bihar. Laloo has been a thorn in party that hoped to return to power on its the BJP- and parivar-side for over a own. What makes the result worse for is decade. The anti-fascist capacity of the poor showing of its only significant this constituency was inherently ally, the Congress that ended with a limited as demonstrated by the princely tally of nine. It is none the worse election results in popular for the 29 seats bagged by the LJP of Dalit Indian political parlance of Line of passport controlRANJAN RAHI “Pakistanis, this way! Make a line Now the buses are running, why not make visas easier for Indians and Pakistanis? here!” A straggling line duly forms at Mumbai’s airport counter ‘Sarhadon ki Jugalbandi’ at Pragati appreciate the music- where Pakistanis entering India Maidan in Delhi, where they knowledgeable audiences they MHB’s Mekaal Hasan performing at a concert must register themselves. With jammed with Indian Ocean. It was find there. Obviously, there are in india in January. passports, disembarkation forms a memorable concert, also spoilsports everywhere. They are and duplicate copies of the featuring Kailash Khair and Rahat encouraged in their cussedness by registry form to be stamped here, Fateh Ali Khan. the needless restrictions that the the travellers resign themselves to The Mekaal Hasan Band (MHB) Indian and Pakistani governments a long wait. made its debut in India more place on each other’s citizens, The end of the line is formed recently, at a show called ‘Sufi on whom they treat quite differently by a large, high-spirited group of the Rocks’, organised by Etc, a TV from visitors of other countries. musicians and their guitars: network partially owned by Zee. At this point, officially there are Fuzon and the Mekaal Hasan Apparently, it was Aakar Patel, few ways to visit each other’s Band headed for Kolkata to play the influential Editor of Mid-Day countries. The governments at a fund-raising concert for who prevailed upon Etc to launch sometimes allow visiting Indian tsunami victims. They are the MHB in India, after having and Pakistani musicians and heard them rehearsing at their artistes to perform on the other PERSONAL studio in Lahore, where he had side and sometimes not. POLITICAL come for a lecture at Kinnaird Last May, the Pakistan High Beena Sarwar College. At their concert before the Commission in New Delhi denied Mumbai press fraternity on 7 the Indian dancer Sharmistra accompanied by their managers, January, MHB played to what was Mukherjee a visa at the last law student Erum Sattar and by all accounts an amazing minute, even though she had actress Sania Saeed, possibly the reception. At one point, as the obtained the necessary clearance first female managers of any band members stood aside during from the Interior Ministry. But music band in South Asia. a break, Kailash Khair approached when embassy officials in Delhi Several people recognise them and said how much he was learnt that she planned to Sania, including a Bangalore- enjoying the music. participate in a classical dance bound gent. There is camaraderie “He asked if he could join us, performance, they said she needed and good humour, a bond shared and we said sure, so after the special permission. The event in by being in this tedious, break, he played with us. It was Karachi and Lahore, organised by unnecessary line. “At least this great,” says Mekaal. The event was Sheema Kermani, had to take time they’re being polite,” says hugely hyped in Mumbai, place without her. Nausheen Wasi, a young lecturer complete with billboards at Juhu Breakthroughs like the who are granted exemptions based Mumbai on Sunday at another from Karachi University, headed Beach, though one didn’t hear too Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on connections) and vice-versa. fund-raiser for the tsunami to Goa for a South Asian much about it in Pakistan– are important. But what’s needed There is no reason why visas victims. They could have made a conference on democratisation, another indication of the Great to really normalise relations is to should be valid only for cities spontaneous detour and peace and regional cooperation. Divide. A personal email from a make cross-border visits easier. rather than the country, and/or performed at the Pakistan India Fuzon’s restless lanky lead senior journalist at the time There is no reason why Pakistanis the stipulated points of entry and Peoples Forum for Peace and guitarist Shallum, wandering up mentioned how popular the event should have to stand in special departure shouldn’t be changed if Democracy Convention but and down the line, stops to ask if had been and how much people lines to register their arrival at the the traveller wants. These basic their visa was not valid for he could be fitted in a bag and had enjoyed it. Indian port of entry or why bureaucratic hurdles can and New Delhi. taken to Goa. This is his second Pakistani bands playing in Indians should report their arrival must be removed. time in India. Last June, Fuzon India invariably get a great and departure to the Pakistani Fuzon and the MHB Beena Sarwar is the contributing editor participated in an event called reception and particularly police (except the fortunate few performed at the Grand Hyatt in of The News, in Karachi. 2 EDITORIAL 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Abha Eli Phoboo, Aarti Basnyat Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Some unsolicited advice Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 In hindsight, everyone should have done everything differently

e Nepalis are great at is ever an election, that is. with too high a risk. LET’S BACKTRACK dispensing advice as long 3. Try to remain united and 8. Political daughters should W as we don’t have to sensible when the king is touring have realised that taking a emocracy isn’t in great shape. Not just in Nepal, but around follow it ourselves. Following his dom advocating an active rikshaw to Jogbani then a train the world there is a stench of democratic decay. In western this grand tradition, here is my monarchy. Learn to take the hint. to New Delhi would have been D liberal democracies there is voter apathy and ballot fatigue. Terrorism has triggered measures like the American Patriot Act that own two-cent’s worth: Have you forgotten a simple much safer than riding an is an unprecedented erosion of civil liberty. Across Latin America, childhood story: it is easier to Enfield Bullet across the tarai for there is a swing to the left as the past 15 years have convinced the GUEST COLUMN break one stick than a bundle of five days braving tigers. disenfranchised that democracy had become an ideology of Alok Bohara seven? 9. A “can’t we all get along” domination rather than liberation. And in states of the world’s largest 4. Once in a while it does not speech may be imprudent when a democracy across our southern border, control of vote banks at hurt for the political leadership bunch of old friends of your election time is now an art form that has little to do with the exercise 1. Don’t anger a Tibet-loving US to oppose the Maoists and their daddy are in detention, of political choice. senator by arresting a few atrocities at Ratna Park. The including your uncle. Just preserving an electoral process while ignoring equity and meditating Tibetans, especially public may actually be convinced 10. If we practiced what we inclusion is not sustainable. If mainstream groups just perpetuate when there is a trade bill or a that it is all about something preached we could have their privileges and entitlements through the ballot box and use garment bill sponsored by the bigger than just ministerial embarked on a path to liberal polls to hold on to power, democracy turns into a sham. The most stable societies are those where democracy has leveled the senator on the floor of the US portfolios. democracy a long time ago. playing field, distributed resources, Congress. (And don’t try to use 5. Let’s not p... off India to 11. Nature abhors a vacuum, so devolved power and given the the garment quota bill to beat please Pakistan, of all countries, does politics. Something or majority a share of prosperity. the NEA over the head on Bhote for god’s sake. Haven’t we learned someone will quickly move in to Regimes that provide only the Kosi.) the lesson being squeezed in fill the gap. Dissolving local facade of democracy without the 2. Don’t get into a personality 1988-89? councils was the single most substance may look healthy from clash and break up a party 6. Whatever happens, don’t bring awful idea. Stopping FM news is the outside are actually rotting when the Maoists are at the a pair of octogenarians to save the second most-awful. inside because those left out gates. The public will the country. Push comes to 12. C’mon, jailing a 70-year- are driven to desperation. consider this a very shove, there are still plenty of old professor is just plain silly. You don’t necessarily need selfish act and may 70-year-old Young Turks Fight an armed Maoist, not an periodic elections to ensure accountability of rulers. Besides, not re-elect around. old man with a pen. how many of our countries had the you. If there 7. Choose your enemy carefully. 13. Holding the Royal Nepal good fortune of electing visionary leaders Opening yourself up on three Army to a higher level of who compensate for democratic deficit with a fronts may not be such a good accountability on human rights surplus of statesmanship? idea no matter how noble is all very well. But let’s not These trends have emboldened Lee Kwan the cause. The advisers overlook what the Maoists have Yewists among us who have always admired the must have said, “no been doing. strongman approach to fast-track economic develop- pain no gain” 14. You can’t keep things ment. They compare the Chinese tiger and the Indian but it comes hidden for long in this day and elephant as proof that individual freedoms need to age. It’s counterproductive to be initially curtailed for a society’s common stop phones, radio and progress. Proponents say Nepal’s insurgency st century. needed this shock therapy too. internet in the 21 The goal of the rebels is totalitarianism. The antidote is not authoritarianism. It is, as King Alok K Bohara, PhD, is professor of economics, University of Gyanendra argued in his royal proclamation of New Mexico, USA Feburary First, a return to genuine and inclusive constitutional process that is responsive to the needs of the people. In that sense, nothing has changed after February First: the king and the political parties still need to get together to break the stalemate. Not because the international community is breathing down their necks but for the sake of peace, national reconciliation and Nepal’s longterm development.

The UML must reinvent itself SUBHAS RAI as a middle force down. As long as citizens are seen as immature, undisciplined, Forward march to the past untrained, and hence ill-suited for statecraft, there is no way month after February First, parties do not grow in a socio- last week showed more courtesy proved that the claims of ‘half- this leadership crisis will be the nation seems to be cultural vacuum. The objective for each other. corrected regression’ were even resolved. If politicians claw at A hunkering down for the conditions of society make them With the country’s two more hollow than it sounded. each other and can never see long haul. The highways have re- what they are. The UML, to take leading parties showing so little But such are the trappings of beyond the next curve, they will opened, the panic is postponed. the most illustrative example, respect for one another, both office that none of Madhab continue to be used by those The capital Valley is once again grew as a design of the Panchayat became victims of the ‘grand Nepal’s nominees in the cabinet who think it is their manifest in a bubble. in the late-1960s to appropriate design’. The dénouement came in showed the courage to step destiny to decide what is good the proscribed NC’s turf. Like the May 2002 when parliament was down on matters of principle. for the country. Maoists in the mid-1990s were dissolved even though the In desperation, Comrade In times of crisis and STATE OF THE STATE considered by a section of hyper- situation demanded that its term Nepal thundered: “UML isn’t instability, right-wing CK Lal nationalists to be ‘patriotic’, UML needed to be extended beyond the going to run away from populism has more powerful cadres thrived on silent support normal five years. responsibilities with its tail appeal than left-wing populism. The surest sign of of the Kathmandu elite. Even It has been downhill ever between its legs.” But he was The marginalisation of the UML ordinariness in Kathmandu’s during the 1990 elections, UML since for the UML. Since 4 already sounding like a tiger is therefore natural. But its party circuit is a return to party- candidates rode the willing October 2002, its policy drift got going meow. In what must be relevance in the coming days bashing. After-dinner shoulders of remnants of the worse and the party couldn’t one of the worst pathologies of will depend upon the course conversations bemoan the ancien regime to victory. decide whether it stood for power in any parliamentary chosen by its ‘acting’ general perennial leadership crisis in the By ceaselessly trying to topple parliamentary democracy or just democracy, UML ministers kept secretary Jhala Nath Khanal. The kingdom. The comfortable classes fragile governments during the wanted to get into Singha Darbar loyally wagging their tails till traditional elite can never be the forget that they perhaps wouldn’t 1990s, the UML was digging its by hook or by crook. When it the last moment before being longterm ally of a party that have been as comfortable if the own hole. A parliamentary system chose the latter, it alienated the booted out of office. calls itself ‘Marxist’ and politicos had been slightly more just couldn’t survive when the cadre. Now, with Nepal and other ‘Leninist’. honest. Every sinner has a future, main opposition party was hell- The UML realised soon leaders under house arrest and The UML must reinvent it seems, but saints sometimes bent on exposing its rival from enough that it had been second-rung apparatchiks in itself as a force of the middle have horrible pasts. within and lambasting it from squandering political capital for hiding, the UML’s HQ at Balkhu path. Survival there depends on True, better leaders would outside. Even Laloo Prasad Yadav a few crumbs from the high table wears a desolate look. The same accommodation rather than have been produced if political and his arch-rival Ram Bilas of state power. Promulgation of a forces that put the UML on a acrimony with other political parties were more vibrant. But Paswan in Bihar state elections revised TADA through ordinance pedestal brought it tumbling parties. 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 3

LLL ETTERS

HELMSMEN For weeks now Nepalis have had no option but to submit to the International community’s inhospitable interpretation of the developments in Nepal. But thanks to Saubhagya Shah (‘At the helm’, #235) we are reminded of the shortcomings of the international community. Thanks to Shah for making his point with such finesse and eloquence. One hopes, though, that such eloquence will be put to good use in reminding all those at the helm, particularly the leopards who may not have changed their spots (Letters, #236) that the infamous 30-year winter has definitely come to an end. In keeping with global climate changes there can be no return to such harsh winters again, and therefore all leopards would be well- advised to change their spots. Conservation efforts in Nepal can only be successful through sincere efforts to improve the habitats of all flora and fauna and not only that of those at the top of the food chain. Shah’s metaphor of a ‘show of hands’ will be complete when all parties reveal their stance, in words and in action, not only vis-à-vis terrorism but also democracy. KIRAN PANDAY Abhishek Basnyat, Washington DC Let me first tell you how much I criticised Fujimori’s methods, a majority of ALOOF VALLEY appreciate your paper, even if I get it about Peruvians are grateful to him for his It is sad that Kanak Mani Dixit in his Since February First I have read one week late. The content compensates leadership. Similar to Nepal, the interna- Southasia Beat column (‘An aloof valley’, Nepali Times with great interest and must (Editorial ‘Been there, done that’, #235). tional reaction to the coup in Peru was #236) tries to alienate the Kathmandu applaud you and your staff for continuing Nepal’s donors are trying to decide what to initially very negative. International Valley from the rest of the country based to function journalistically despite trying do about their aid. I understand that the financial organisations delayed planned or on the economic standard of the people. It circumstances. What a quagmire. As an projects they execute are meant generally projected loans, the US suspended all aid seems that the writer wants to see panic outsider, I can’t grasp the intricacies of the for the poor, handicapped and needy. Why except humanitarian, current EU members on the faces of the people of Kathmandu. problem but it would appear that I’m in then do they want to stop it? If they decide Spain and Germany cut off all ties with He tries to indicate that the people of good company. While constitutional to stop, then the aid is political and not Peru. Unlike Peru, Nepal does not have a Kathmandu should succumb to the democracy increased expectations, its humanitarian. very well equipped military and needs blockade imposed by the Maoist. But the inability to improve the lives of the Annemarie Spahr, Turbenthal, Switzerland more than just humanitarian aid to help the people of Kathmandu are from all over the average Nepali and effectively defuse the brave men and women in the army fight country and will defy any forceful block- Maoist situation simply made it that much As a traveller who considers herself a the rebels. It is time the US and the ade. Yes, there is a gap between rougher. Carnage in the countryside, little dear friend of Nepal, I have been upset EU learnt from their mistakes and used Kathmandu and the hinterland but that control outside the capital, bandas and about the February First royal move. This Peru as a model and helped Nepal. doesn’t mean the people of Kathmandu blockades. It was only a matter of time is a tremendous step backwards for the Manish Priyadarshi, Maharajganj should go around panicking like the whole before something snapped and snap it did. people of Nepal. The frustration is great country. In fact the people of Kathmandu His Majesty has grabbed the game board, because of the lack of information even ROAD CLOSED have sent a clear message to the Maoists knocked off all the pieces and changed the though it is good to see the online edition of Thank you Kishore Nepal for such a tragic that the rule of gun will not last long. rules. But how to proceed? A military Nepali Times. But the story of the blockade travelogue of a blockaded Nepal (‘Road Vehicles not plying on the highways don’t solution to the Maoist problem isn’t likely (‘Road closed’, #236) is sad and made me closed’, #236). As a frequent traveller indicate support for the Maoists but a fear at hand. Even if His Majesty managed angry. How can the Maoists think they can between Kathmandu and Dharan, your reflex. Kathmandu has shown unity and successfully to follow the path of Alberto maintain this level of blockade and the article brought tears to my eyes and I was solidarity, the whole country should follow Fujimori, who freed Peru of the Shining monarchists think they can suspend civil overcome by sorrow for what we have lost suit. Path by a crushing military defeat, the liberties? In this day and age, it is virtually as a nation. But what have the Maoists Lily Thapa, Kathmandu problems of poverty and economic impossible for activities in Nepal to be achieved by destroying our motherland? stagnation will remain. For a roadmap, hidden. What kind of liberation are they fighting DIASPORA examine the past 50 years in Israel, Pehrson Cazadero, California, USA for? Who are they fighting for if it is the It is interesting how Nepalis outside of Singapore and Thailand. While Israel ordinary people who are being punished? Nepal get all politically aware and socially chose a socialist parliamentary Indian ambassador Shiv Shankar Sri Rai, Jawalakhel sensitive after stepping out of our little democracy of the finest European Mukherjee’s interview (‘There was another safe hole, Nepali Pan contribution by traditions to guide its path, Singapore road map’, #236) was a clear reflection of Kishore Nepal paints a depressing picture Jemima Sherpa (‘Further from home, succeeded with more autocratic hand to how the Indian government perceives the of a country that has ground to a halt. closer we are’, #235). Having experienced guide it to prosperity and then greater current Nepali political scenario. However, Three weeks after February First, the these feelings myself after leaving Nepal democracy. Thailand, with a cultural in very cold words, Mukherjee seems to people are still waiting to see what price five years ago, I cannot help but wonder heritage similar to Nepal, travelled the undermine the fact that Nepal has always we have to pay for the curtailment of our why we (especially the youth) are so road to prosperity under constitutional been a monarchy. The ‘other road map’ as freedoms. But are the terrorists going to oblivious to social issues. Residing in monarchy guided by a king in not all that guided by the ambassador, has led to no heed the advice you give them in your countries that preach freedom and different a place than King Gyanendra destination in the past political journeys. editorial (‘Right here, right now’)? Doesn’t equality, we realise the lack thereof in our finds himself in at the present. Despite His remark on ceasing military aid to Nepal look like it. If anything, not only have we own. But why do we have to leave Nepal to their different approaches, what the three is vague compared to reports in the Indian lost our civil liberties but it also looks like understand its class structures and ethnic countries all have in common is a focus media, which makes derogatory and the war is going to intensify. boundaries? on human capital development through patronising remarks quoting Indian Name witheld, email Nisha Onta, email economic reform to allow the free flow of ‘experts’ about Nepal. India should come capital, education and political clean with its public and unstated stance In your last issue with the front page FULBARI RESORT restructuring that supported these towards Nepal. New Delhi may be in touch article ‘Road closed’ you had three On behalf of Fulbari Resort & Spa and our changes. Nepal, too, can make the with Beijing on Nepal as the ambassador advertisements for cars. Was that a spoof executive chairman, Piyush B Amatya, transformation. King Gyanendra has the points out but at least China doesn’t poke or what? allow me to correct the article ‘Pokhara unique opportunity to break the logjam and its nose into Nepal’s affairs. Ravi Maharjan, email takes a direct hit’ (#236) by Ramesh put in place the institutional reforms and Anup Kafle, email Poudel. The reporter has totally misquoted mechanisms needed for Nepal to make a Mr Amatya and also falsely reported that breakthrough. A majority of foreign journalists and the resort’s telephone lines and electricity Joshua Gitlitz, New York international crisis think tanks have have been cut off. There is no such portrayed a very bleak future for Nepal problem at the resort. In fact, we have The Nepali people are suffering under the current administration. These been fully operational despite the adverse because the authorities running the very institutions predicted there was no situation in the country. What has been government lack proper education. They hope for Peru in the early 1990s. When reported is totally baseless and a figment couldn’t care less whether anyone is President Alberto Fujimori took office in of the reporter’s imagination. Such reports affected by the current situation because Peru, the country was fighting against the are highly damaging to our earnest efforts they are busy amassing wealth. Why not Shining Path (aka Maoist) guerrillas. and our hard-earned reputation. get rid of these parasites and bring in Internal bickering within Peru’s Rupak Shrestha, new blood: honest, disciplined and well- parliament had allowed the Shining Path to The Fulbari Resort & Spa, Pokhara educated ex-Gurkhas? Just look at how grow into a powerful militant group and they transformed Dharan. They could control most of Peru’s hinterland. On 5 CORRECTION replicate that in the rest of Nepal. Good April 1992, Fujimori mounted a self-coup In ‘Little heroes’ (#234), the cost of treatment education, a culture of accountability and against his own government. One of his for aplastic anaemia and leukaemia in India commitment to nation-building are all key goals was the total annihilation of was inadvertently put at Rs 700. The that’s needed. rebels which he accomplished within three treatment costs G Saran, email years. Although some have recently Rs 700,000. BUSINESS 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 5

Third Fokker 100 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ Moving on to Peru We looked at Chile, now let’s turn to Peru ne uncomfortable fact of of the Senderistas? And why did In doing so, he aimed to recent global history is that Sendero kill 300-odd union differentiate the purity of his O fresh political openness in leaders, community organisers, ideological ‘product’ from that of Cosmic Air added a third Fokker 100 to its fleet. The new jet aircraft a formerly non-democratic nation politicians and municipal other strains of reform-oriented will begin operations from 15 March in the domestic market and will appears to be just the catalyst to authorities instead of pursuing a leftists. Instead of acting as expand to Bhadrapur. Cosmic will also begin flying to Pokhara soon propel that newly democratic broader intra-left alliance? deterrence against violence, an as it waits for its fourth Fokker 100. country down the path of a The military rule in Peru open political environment protracted civil war. provided various leftist groups ironically created conditions for

Golf winnings with a common cause to fight the Senderistas to play up its

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ STRICTLY BUSINESS against. But after its end, most of violence-prone radicalism to show Prem Sachdev, chairman of Gokarna these groups sought to advance how different it was from others. Forest Golf Resort won the Himalayan Ashutosh Tiwari Bank Cup Open Golf Championship. concerns related to social justice But sticking to violent Dhiraj Rai of Nirvana Country Club, as legal participants in multi- radicalism came at a cost. Sendero Dharan finished second. There were In Turkey, the Kurdish party democracy. As such, during Luminoso had to continuously other various category prizes also. insurgency emerged not long after times of openness, they had fewer attract recruits to replenish its Winner of the professional game a civilian government came to things to protest against. As depleting ranks. And that led to Deepak Acharya and runners-up power in 1981. In Europe, no legitimate leftists moved to the direct competition with other left Ramesh Nagarkoti and Deepak Thapa sooner had the states of the public stage to fulfil electoral parties who drew resources ‘from Magar were awarded cash prizes. Winners of the amateur event former Yugoslavia held elections, promises, their marginal cousin the same pool’. Because it did not Rabi Khadka, runner-up Tashi Tsering and nett winner Surya wars broke out along ethnic lines. Sendero ended up being pushed violate what it stood for, Sendero Sharma were also awarded. In Rwanda, four years after the further into a corner, where it had found it strategically palatable to government accepted the to either find a niche to survive or deal with the competition by

Star endorsement principle of multiparty perish altogether. unleashing violence against its ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ democracy, the Hutus carried out But loyalty to its inherently ideological cousins, even if that Sleepwell has endorsed Baichung Bhutia, star genocide against long-time violent radicalism made meant killing their leaders and Indian footballer, as its brand ambassador. There are more than 50 dealers of Sleepwell in Nepal. enemy, the Tutsi minority. Senderistas fight back. Protesting activists. In the long run though, Insurgencies have been rampant the actions of its leftist brethrens the brutal tactics meant that the in the newly minted electoral as a sell-out to bourgeois Senderos never generated any

Insuring heritage democracies of Iraq and democracy, Comrade Abimael international sympathy, much less

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ National Life and General Afghanistan. And in Peru, the Guzman (see pic) used the open support. Insurance Company is the Sendero Luminoso (Shining political context to announce an Still, Ron’s conclusion is that first to issue an insurance Path) asserted its murderous armed struggle against the state. the Peruvian example is not meant policy covering the risks for viciousness right around the time to be an argument against historical buildings of Nepal. the country’s military rule of 12 democracy. It is to suggest that at It has issued a policy years gave away to a freely elected times despite political openness, covering the risks on Dharara at Sundhara. Sidewalkers Traders civilian government in 1980. ‘democratisation can have adverse reopened Dharara on a contract basis. To interpret this outcomes’. But as subsequent juxtaposition that some new events in Peru show, those adverse NEW PRODUCTS democracies share with internal outcomes do not necessarily get wars, conflict scholars are corrected when the country resorts increasingly using the kind of to military rule to defang the INSTABUY: Standard Chartered economic reasoning that is radicals. Bank Nepal familiar to business theorists. Eight years after the currently issues In a paper on Peru (Journal suspension of political openness, Visa and MasterCard branded Credit Cards to its customers. It has of Peace Research, vol 38, no Peru’s military rulers fled the now launched InstaBuy, a sub-product of the Credit Card. InstaBuy 5, 2001), sociologist James country in 2000, thereby allowing allows Credit Card customers to repay their purchases of goods and Ron of Canada’s McGill the Senderos, this time in tandem services of Rs 5,000 and above through instalments ranging from 6 University attempts to answer with another radical group, the to 18 months at a lower service charge of 0.833 percent per month. two questions: How did political MRTA, to become active and notch openness in Peru add to the rise up a death toll of 25,000.

time, in the changed context, we are concerned about how these alternative mechanisms may work under the state of A united development approach emergency. Will development assistance be affected as a result of the royal proclamation of February First? Matthew Kahane is the United has been the one issued by the secretary general’s The greater proportion of the United Nations’ development spokesperson on 1 February itself. The statements activities in Nepal is concentrated at the district and village Nations resident coordinator in issued by the spokesperson in New York are the only levels. The target groups are the poorest and the most Kathmandu. He spoke to official communications made on behalf of the secretary disadvantaged and we strive to support the basic level of general. services in health, education, water supply, sanitation and Nepali Times last week about the livelihoods. Where there are properly functioning February First changes and what What is your understanding of the status of the institutions of local governments or community countryside? organisations, such activities build longterm capacity in it means for development. Given the great difficulty in travelling in most parts of the addition to providing the actual services. Where such local country, development activities are of necessity halted. organisations are weak or non- Nepali Times: What is the UN’s response to the royal action This is also because the project staff do not have reliable existent, it is the actual of February First? information on how, where and when it is safe to travel. services delivered that Matthew Kahane: Secretary General Kofi Annan has made Furthermore, the imposition of the state of emergency has are most important and it clear that he considers the dismissal of the government affected, and in some cases, interrupted the normal flow such support is basically and suspension of basic civil rights as a step backwards of practical information required for planning, directing humanitarian. All donors for the nation. We believe that a unified approach between and monitoring our activities on the ground. This is wish to find ways in all institutions of governance, namely His Majesty, the definitely a crisis period for development delivery. We which such development political parties, the structures of government as well as will have to wait and see where we go from here but and humanitarian civil society is necessary for a proper response to the essential steps would include restoration of the freedom activities can be continued Maoist insurgency. of movement, the normal flow of information and lifting of at the community level. all direct and indirect censorship of the media. How can the UN help achieve peace in the changed situation? Has your relationship with the government as a The secretary general has always said that his good offices development partner changed? remain at the disposal of Nepal in any way that they can be The absence of local elected bodies for two-and-a- useful. This is not a matter of seeking a role. The essence half years has meant a steady erosion of the of what the secretary general desires is that there be a capacity of public officials of the local level united approach on the part of the constitutional forces and to plan and monitor development services. that both sides prepare to discuss openly the points in At the local level, we have been adapting to contention without excluding important issues. The the situation by working with local groups, secretary general’s previous statements remain in effect non-governmental organisations and at and the only official statement made in the immediate past times delivering services directly. At this MIN BAJRACHARYA 4 NATION 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 Sending money home The labour export industry has nearly recovered from 1 September but there is an urgent need to upgrade the skills of workers NARESH NEWAR and all exports combined. way to send money home,” says “It’s remarkable, the Sanjay Thapa from Money Gram, or the last 15 years, Ganesh contribution Nepal’s overseas one of the top remittance Lama has been working as a labour force is making to prop up companies with 54 branches F manager in Qatar. He can’t the national economy,” says inside Nepal. believe how convenient it is to Prajuman Pokhrel of Nabil Bank, There is still a lot that needs send money home. Until a few which is the main agent here for to be done by the government to years back, Ganesh depended on Western Union. There are now an regulate manpower agencies, friends to deliver cash to his wife estimated 1.2 million Nepalis remove exploitation and

JIGGY GATON and children in Kathmandu. He working in 40 countries, not cheating, and provide skills had to wait for months to find counting India. training so Nepali workers have a someone reliable. Three-quarters of all chance to earn more. “The Today, all Ganesh does is go recruitment agencies were government has not been able to to the Doha Bank in Qatar once a damaged in arson attacks during support the manpower business, month to transfer the money to the 1 September riots last year people pay so much to go abroad, Kathmandu’s Nabil Bank in Kathmandu. “It’s after 12 Nepalis were killed by there must be a way to promote done in minutes,” he says. terrorists in Iraq. The industry high-value foreign employment,” The process of money transfer to Nepal from abroad has not just finest become efficient but it is now t was Valentine’s Day and I was all packed up for a weekend possible to accurately measure with my girl at Godavari. I had chocolates, a long-stemmed rose how much money Nepalis abroad I and other Valentine’s Day goodies in my bag. I was all set for a repatriate to their home country romantic weekend, packing my new digital camera, two new tennis every year. rackets and even the bag was new– a Rs 1,000 Nike knockoff from Bluebird. Even so, only 40 percent of So I took off from Boudha on an Enfield to pick up my girl in Nepali workers overseas use Jawalakhel with a song in my heart and the wind in my hair. I remittance companies. The rest arrived at our arranged rendezvous all amorous-like, until I looked still rely on the hundi system, behind my back and noticed that my weekend bag had vanished. which takes up to two weeks, is Fallen off on the way unreliable and the operator takes NEPALI PAN somewhere perhaps on a big cut. Butterfly Road or who knows Jiggy Gaton Now, Western Union and 25 where. Well, I met my date not other recognised remittance with that look of love but of companies help with transfers seems to have recovered from the says Chandra Tandan of absolute panic. My best Heroji outfit! My passport tucked away from all over the world to all over inside my Calvin Klein undies! My new camera! Imported tennis setback. Except for Malaysia, International Money Exchange rackets and balls! Lau kha! Nepal. “People are more confident where a three-month freeze on (IME). My girl and I got on the bike and retraced my tracks hoping to about sending money home for a overseas workers was announced Now that some destinations find the bag. We drove slowly and I kept hoping some street urchin nominal service charge,” says in January. The number of Nepalis like Malaysia and Qatar are would run out of a shop holding my bag high, looking to return it to Arun Acharya from Annapurna going abroad is now back to mid- reaching saturation points for the stupid white dude who had dropped it in traffic. But it became Travel, which has been working 2004 levels. The three-week unskilled labour, Nepal has to clear that the bag was lost. Who, in a city of over a million, with on remittance banking for the last blockade after 1 February reduced upgrade the skills of its overseas the economy the way it is, would not look upon an attractive bagful 10 years. Since 2001, the flow of the numbers since people workers. Says Hemant Singh of over one lakh of merchandise? remittance to the country has couldn’t travel to Kathmandu but Gurung of Pioneer Overseas who The slow depressing ride back home was contemplative. As a grown 15-20 percent every year it is picking up again. has sent 20,000 Nepalis to Buddhist, I daydreamed about karma, the need to let go of worldly and in 2004 money from overseas “Remittance banking is Malaysia in the last six years: attachments and the circle of samsara. But my little worldly circle Nepalis crossed Rs 100 billion— was bisected by cows eating garbage from the gutter next to the developing in Nepal as “There is less certainty now, the child playing in the trash next to the curbside street vendors of making it a bigger source of destinations grow but many don’t demand from foreign countries is Chabahil selling cheap socks and tin cutlery. foreign exchange than tourism realise there is a safe and quick not the same anymore,” And I felt the eyes of my girl burning into the Three cheers for back of my helmet: what a dunce! But she came up the anonymous with the idea: why not ask those traffic cops over How (not so) poor are we? cop at the there if anyone has seen a lost bag? With so many donor agencies operating in Nepal, Bank officials, however, said it was for the Gausala beat Well, remembering getting hold of development statistics has never government agencies to determine the poverty figure. my experiences with been a problem. But there are discrepancies on “The government agencies need to have backup police back in the west, where a cop is more likely to shoot you the most vital indicator: poverty incidence. documents to come up with a concrete poverty dead than help you when you are hysterically in need and also The latest figure was 38 percent, down from 42 figure,” said a World Bank official. remembering the last time I had asked a traffic cop anything in percent in 1996. Now, the World Bank’s Nepal Poverty reduction has been the mantra of all Asia when I was totally lost in the Bihar, looking for a temple Living Standard Survey conducted in 2003-04 governments in the past decade and the sole outside Patna on a motorbike, where I had pulled into the police seems to show that Nepal’s poverty incidence has objective of the 10th five-year plan. The government stand hoping for directions. What did I get from that cop? An IRs fallen to 30 percent. Which should mean that has also come up with the Poverty Reduction 500 ticket (payable right away) for making a wrong turn into the Nepalis are much less poorer than 10 years ago. Strategy Paper (PRSP) which is supported by almost station. So I was less than hopeful when we asked the traffic cop Right? Maybe. all donors although the World Bank has pulled out a in Gausala Circle if he had seen a stray bag bouncing around the The survey does seem to show that overall $70 million tranche for this year because of the streets of KTM in the middle of morning rush hour. poverty levels have dropped, but government’s failure to meet its reform With a truly concerned look, one of KTM’s finest directed us to no one is sure by how much. At conditionalities. the station a block away for further inquiry and, lo and behold, the Central Bureau of Statistics The real poverty figures hinge on there was my bag sitting unopened in the station office. It had been (CBS) and the National Planning the calorie figures but the World Bank turned in by an off-duty cop from Chabahil who had picked it up Commission (NPC), officials says it is leaving it up to the and walked it over to the station. I tried very hard to give the confirm poverty incidence has government to announce the real finding officer a Rs 500 note. His refusal was simple and with a dropped down but can’t say by poverty figures. In its four-year country smile: “I am just doing my job.” how much. assistance strategy that began last Off we went, the Valentine vacation saved by the effort of one The World Bank expert team year, the World Bank has said that 40 honest off-duty Kathmandu traffic cop who was just doing his job. that conducted the survey is in percent of the country’s population I’ve forgotten his name but I would really like to thank him, his Washington putting the average lived on less than $1 a day as of 1995. boss, the chief of police and the entire Nepali people. calorie intake of Nepalis through their computers “There is little evidence that poverty Riding to work every day, I can’t help but notice the blue-suited before they come out with a definitive figure. The has declined since the 1980s and the absolute cops directing traffic, trying to keep things moving, making me World Bank had supported the CBS in conducting number of poor people has likely increased,” the think that perhaps my friends in the press and the bilaterals and the survey of 4,000 households all over the bank said in the paper. INGOs who report on corruption in Nepal may have gotten it all country last year. Indicators like access to Just like the poverty incidence, the other figure wrong. Perhaps the majority of Nepalis in public service just want services, literacy and education, health services that looks fuzzy is the per capita income of Nepalis. to help out where they can and simply “do their job”. reportedly show positive trends. Even though $ 270 is the accepted figure, there are “We are waiting for the calorie consumption doubts if it is accurate. The Asian Development Bank Jiggy Gaton is the pen name for an unaffiliated aid worker in Nepal, who now figure, only then can we come out with the has supported the CBS in conducting new surveys to ties his bags very securely to his motorbike and pays close attention to all definitive poverty figure,” says Director General come up with a more accurate figure. directions given by KTM Traffic Cops (well, he tries to anyway). Tunga Shiromani Banstola of the CBS. World Navin Singh Khadka FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 7 Employment Act 2000 and it will only allow Nepalis to work for more than $150 a month overseas, National Panasonic representing a $25 increase on the Purshottam Dahal in Nepal Samacharpatra, 1 March previous requirement. Malaysia will be the first destination to see My old National Panasonic shortwave radio had been gathering dust for many years. I didn’t need it anymore because a small FM set a drastic decrease in the number costing Rs 150 was bringing me all the news I needed. In the last of Nepali workers. Most Nepalis 15 years, you didn’t need to rely on outside papers, magazines and working in Malaysia get little radio, there was enough credible and relevant information from more than Rs 9,000 a month. The Nepali sources. Now, because of the curbs on domestic media, amendment will also require international media has received a new lease on life. That is why I cleaned up my old radio and am using it again. Those of us who recruitment agencies to provide took their freedom for granted have realised what it feels like to an insurance of Rs 500,000 to have it taken away. Our freedom had become an integral part of our workers. Till date, labourers have culture and civilisation. In the past 15 years, our media broadened been insured for Rs 100,000 only. the scope of press freedom by maximum application. In the week New provisions include: during which email, Internet, mobiles and media were restricted, we were pushed back to medieval times. So today, we have to try to Operation prohibition of tune our shortwave radios to BBC Nepali, VOA or All India Radio companies whose licenses have and through the roar of static try to find out what is happening in our been annulled, mandatory own country. The new regime stopped news and graduation level qualification current affairs on FM radio with just one edict for recruitment offices and but it left 3,000 journalists out of work. All over Nepal, the information gap is being filled by the revision of license fees. underground ‘Radio People’s Republic’. Will Agencies will also be someone explain to me whether this replacement required to send workers of licensed broadcast channels with illegal overseas within one year of underground broadcasts is part of the plan? My their selection. According pen is non-violent, it is for democracy and for a free press. It needs unrestricted information from to Labour Ministry’s Nepali sources, not from foreign radio stations. It secretary, Narayan Prasad needs information from our own vibrant FM Silwal, “Amendments are being stations, not from underground stations that made to institutionalise propagate violence. In the 21st century my pen developments in foreign should stand against violence, totalitarianism and lawlessness. And it can only do that if it employment.” is free. Incident at Charaundi Letter to the Editor in Kantipur, 22 February prayers after all, God had sent a messenger to rescue us. Imagine a speeding bus on the highway. He was Shyam Thapa of Pokhara’s Now imagine someone opening fire on it. Ratna Chok returning home after a holiday in You only see it in the movies. And when it Kathmandu. He replaced the wounded driver, happens in real life, right in front of your took control and drove us safely to Pokhara. eyes many are too shocked to react. In case In return, we could offer him little more than the conflict is resolved, future generations thanks for having given us a new life. Two will look back at incidents like these. But if other elderly passengers in the bus had also it doesn’t there will surely be many more suffered bullet wounds and their blood filled incidents like what happened to us on 20 the bus till we reached Mugling. From there, February at Charaundi. Around 45 to 50 of the army took the three to Kathmandu in a us were in the Machhapuchhre Yatayat bus helicopter. We joined six other buses to be bound for Pokhara from Kathmandu. The escorted into Pokhara which we reached by bus was in a long line of vehicles and along 8PM. On behalf of all the passengers, let me the way it felt like we were traversing a war thank Shyam Thapa for saving our lives. If zone. Army patrols everywhere, vehicles on we do not respect the fundamental right to life fire by the roadside. of every Nepali citizen, there is no doubt this The journey was depressing and we conflict will turn into a bloodbath. We wish to were filled with fear and foreboding. We ask all sides to stop these irrational, used to feel safe in the towns but when we inhuman acts and resolve the conflict reached Charaundi Bajar a gunman in peacefully through negotiations. combat fatigues opened fire at the driver of Indra Bahadur Bhujel, Lamjung the bus. I can’t describe in words the feeling that ran through me. Four days earlier I had Kantipur, 23 February travelled this same road and my bus had Thanks to Indra Bhujel for sharing his met with an accident between Dumre and harrowing tale of survival and bravery with Damauli. I had been physically and the readers. In today’s Nepal, facts are more psychologically scarred by the accident and dramatic than fiction and this is but one was desperate to get home to Pokhara and example. Reading the heartfelt letter, I was be reunited with my parents, wife and overcome with emotion and felt like I had children. But here I was in a bus whose experienced it myself. I have nothing but driver had been shot and was speeding admiration for Shyam Thapa who took over along the highway at 50 kmph. There were the runaway bus from the wounded driver and people along the side of the road and ahead saved the lives of everyone on board. of us was a stream, river and a bridge. We Kiran Khanal, Kathmandu all got down under our seats and prayed, convinced this was the last day of our lives. Indra Bahadur Bhujel’s letter describes an However agnostic you may be, when death event that is the country’s conflict in a stares at you, you remember God. But the microcosm. Those who were responsible for bus did not collide with anything, it sped on opening fire on the bus should read the letter along the highway. Slowly, we peeked at the and think about what they have done by driver’s seat and saw someone driving the targeting unarmed innocent bus passengers. bus. There was someone listening to our The true hero is Shyam Thapa who saved the lives of dozens of frightened passengers. A hero is someone who gives the gift of life to others, who shows uncommon valour in times of crisis and demands nothing in return. Shyam Thapa is one such hero. Thanks also to Bhujel for writing to tell us what happened since details of the event didn’t make it to the news. Let’s hope the perpetrators realise that this conflict can only be won by discretion and rationality. Just like Shyam Thapa saved everyone with his bravery, the warring sides must also give up violence and strive for morality, ethics and idealism to win the hearts and minds of the people. Binita Aryal, Lajimpat 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237

Solid support will be easier said than done. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The anti-Maoist vigilantes Nepal Samacharpatra, went on warpath after Maoists 27 February abducted two villagers from “Reign, not rule” Ganeshpur on 16 February. They To counter accusations of Nepal have killed Krishnanagar’s Maoist Samaya, 3 March alienating itself from the area in-charge Roshan Urf Akhtar international community owing Ali and beaten to death a man Interview with Biswa Bandu Thapa, president of the to the royal move of February named Nandu of Lawani. Prem RPP parliamentary committee First, the Foreign Ministry Bahadur Rajkoti of Hallanagar’s What is your take on the recent political changes? furnished the names of six Sukumbasi Tol died in a fire they The process of change started with the dissolution countries that have announced started. Kapilbastu policemen who of the House of Representatives three years ago. reached the scene of attacks say Who was the main instigator is not certain but it their support. Foreign Minister was Sher Bahadur Deuba or someone higher. Soon Ramesh Nath Pandey said they things are spiralling out of control. afterwards, the prime minister was advised to were: Cambodia, Laos, Qatar, Nothing could be salvaged from the postpone elections and Girija Prasad Koirala, China, Pakistan and Syria. North burning ashes. The leader of the Madhab Kumar Nepal and Surya Bahadur Thapa Korea and Bangladesh have also vigilantes, Ganeshpur’s ex-VDC unanimously agreed. These leaders should have expressed their solidarity chairman Asul Kalim Khan, said: realised that the PM does not have the authority to through embassies here. “We will go after those who don’t change the election date. The king should have told BHASWOR OJHA Acknowledging their support, help us.” Deuba that constitutional provisions did not grant Minister Pandey has sent them him such authority. When the king used Article 127 So, what now? thank you notes. to dismiss the PM, the people’s representatives We are still called the king’s party though we Travel restriction should have said the move was wrong. They were never consulted when Chand or Thapa ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Himal Khabarpartrika, should have proposed restoration of parliament were appointed prime ministers. Still we Cuba libre

even when the PM failed to do so. And in the supported the king. That has changed now, UML ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 27 February-13 March absence of parliament, Article 128 could have been and NC leaders should realise this. They should Rajdhani, 2 March used to discuss forming of a government with the prove their statesmanship. There is no leader If you are planning to leave the leaders. like BP Koirala. He did not talk about changing Cuba has termed the recent Valley you better think twice. Your the constitution but his statesmanship led to the political developments in Nepal name might be on The List. After What about the royal-appointed governments? fall of the Panchayat. Girija’s daughter Sujata is as the country’s internal matter. February First, security personnel Lokendra Bahadur Chand couldn’t bring in anyone in Delhi crying herself hoarse about a republic Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister at the airport have turned back from any party, not even from the RPP. Later, with while NC spokesman Arjun Narsingh is saying Avelardo Moreno, during his passengers waiting to board their Surya Bahadur Thapa there was hope that he something else in Kathmandu. I’m not sure about two-day visit to Nepal on 1 plane saying: “You name is on the would convince the UML and NC to join. But he Girija’s expectations. We need to push for list.” Om Gurung was among 25 couldn’t. Deuba managed to get the UML on board. elections. March, said Nepalis were free to The RPP has accepted all governments and has select the kind of system they people heading for Shillong to not called them ‘regressive’. But now, the RPP is What will the RPP’s policy be now? want in their attend an Indigenous in a difficult position since this government is The king cannot afford to make everyone rebel country. “Nepalis Peoples’ Conference, formed under the chairmanship of the king who against him. Haven’t the parties always said he have that former justice of the asked for three years to do the job. The king’s is the keeper of the constitution? The constitution freedom,” Moreno Supreme Court order is like an elephant’s tusk. It is tough but when says the king must walk with the parties. But we said after meeting Laxman Prasad Aryal the tusk falls off, it never grows back. Chand, say elections are necessary. Peace is not the Foreign Minister was flying to Thapa and Deuba, each got a year to hold elections only precondition to holding elections. The army Ramesh Nath Mumbai to attend a and were sacked when they couldn’t. Yet the king can be mobilised to control the Maoists if they Pandey. “No conference on girl has given himself three years for the same job. create trouble. foreign country trafficking, Hemanta Does this mean the tusk is falling off? The RPP Bahadur BC of NCP wants to see the government of the people but we Was the international response towards the should interfere in also want to ensure that monarchy is not in danger. February First move expected? its internal matter.” (United) was going The king is the symbol of nationalism. Whenever Tulsi Giri has called attention to international Moreno said he home to attend the Nepal is weak, India steps in. The king is the double standards: how the Americans had to act discussed the last rites of a institution that keeps our country strong, for which post 9/11 and India had to act in Kashmir, so upcoming UN relative, deputy monarchy must be constitutional. The citizenry Nepal must also act as it sees fit. But they never Human Rights High Commission speaker of the dissolved House of wants an elected government. The king is the stopped their democratic process. Instead, they meeting with Minister Pandey Representatives Chitralekha Yadab, constitution’s guardian but there needs to be held elections to ensure mass support. Here, saying Cuba would support member of the Human Rights harmony between parties for healthy politics. constitutional and democratic processes have Nepal. “The High Commission Commission Kapil Shrestha and Foreign countries, including India gives more been stalled. The king has the authority to reign, has shown double standards and many others were turned back from importance to elections than to peace. not rule. has not been effective,” he said. the airport because their names “All developing countries need were on the list. It is said that to work together to make the High Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Daman Commission just, impartial and Nath Dhungana, Mathura Prasad effective.” Shrestha, Krishna Pahadi, Sushil Pyakurel, Nilambar Acharya,

Villages in ashes Krishna Khanal, Gauri Pradhan are ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ also on the list of 200. No one Himal Khabarpatrika, wants to confirm the list, or who is 17 February-13 March on it. They wave it off as an order from ‘higher up’. While some KAPILBASTU—The fires of anti- listed have been kept in custody, Maoist rebellion that began on 17 others are not even given prior February has swallowed village notice. Public Security Act, 2046 after village in Kapilbastu. In one provisions the government with week, 3,000 houses in 26 villages the authority to stop anyone who have been razed, displacing 2,500 might harm the state or the people families and hundreds of cattle from staying in Nepal, entering or and poultry. Properties worth leaving it. But only one vested more than Rs 5 million has been with the authority can issue this destroyed and 22 people have provision. The Act does not died. Anti-Maoist vigilantes have authorise tricking somebody or beaten up villagers and burnt stopping him without giving prior down their houses. On 27 knowledge. Even when ordered, February the mob was seen the order expires after 30 days. heading towards Rupandehi. According to the law, if extension “Since these people have come is required, the local authority Sack: National problem out to protest Maoist atrocities, must seek permission from the Arrow: Solution, 1095 days Rajdhani, 27 February we have not stopped them for Home Ministry. QUOTES OF THE WEEK fear the situation might grow worse,” said one official. $150 minimum

Kapilbastu’s CDO Mod Raj ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “When you don’t give oxygen to somebody, he dies within minutes. When Dotel said those harming the Nepal Samacharpatra, 2 March you are hooked to a life support system, you can’t complain that the doctor is not giving innocent in the name of you the liberty to go to a pub or disco. We are merely surviving. What we first want is resistance will be brought to Nepalis will not be permitted to go oxygen. When we are well, we will go to the pub and the disco. We will enjoy freedom, justice. In a Butwal daily, he overseas for employment if their democracy and all the good things in life.” stated, ‘The state of actions salaries amount to less than Rs without consequences will not 10,000 a month. The government is Neurosurgeon and former minister, Upendra Devkota quoted by Associated Press. remain. Criminals will be introducing this provision through arrested.’ But for CDO Dotel this an amendment in the Foreign SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 8 TELECOM

KIRAN PANDAY IMMOBILISED Some are paralysed by the NARESH NEWAR “Hello! Hello!” into their phones relaunch the service,” is all NT’s inside restaurants was common. General Manager Sugad Ratna cell phone ban, others don’t ou can use it as an alarm “Actually I don’t miss it at Kansakar could tell us. miss it at all clock, take pictures, play all,” says an office colleague. “It This means nearly 250,000 Y games, write notes, use it as never roamed anyway, I save mobile users across Nepal will a digital phone directory, as money, I don’t get crank calls and have an indefinite wait. Its phone paperweight or even throw it at I don’t get silly jokes on SMS.” network already covered 50 someone. Mobiles may not ring Still, people who had grown districts and NT was planning to anymore but they still have used to the mobility of mobiles spread out to all 75 districts, multiple uses. are, one month later, still adding one million lines in the The cynical among you will suffering from withdrawal next four years. argue that even when mobiles symptoms. We went over to the “We are being very patient were working way back in the Nepal Telecom (NT) but couldn’t hoping the service will restart heydays before February First, find anyone who could tell us soon,” says Bhupal Chettri of they didn’t work half the time. when the service would be Nepal Overseas Marketing, the ‘Network Busy’, calls that got cut restored. “We are waiting for the official distributor for Nokia in off halfway and people shouting government’s direction to Nepal. Hundreds of wholesalers

MIN BAJRACHARYA DIGITAL DIRECTORY: Mobile phones serve just as a phone directory, and (above) with all UTL lines off, the main exchange at UTL office in Putali Sadak rechecks its facilities. 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 9 and retailers of mobile phones are phone shop in New Road. estimated at Rs 1.3 billion. Also worried about the loss of “I don’t want to close down, badly hit has been the Indian business. “If the service doesn’t there are rumours the service will joint venture UTL, which uses resume soon I’ll just have to close start soon,” says an optimistic local wireless loop technology. It down,” says Hari Thapa who Uttam Maharjan at an electronic was required to re-register all invested Rs 500,000 to start a shop in Lagankhel, who is users so security could check diversifying into tv repairs to subscribers. make up. “Mobile phones have become a The suspension of services is basic requirement in this age. The also a huge loss for NTC, which government should consider loses up to Rs 6 million a day reopening both mobile and UTL in revenue. The annual services,” says businessman turnover of mobile Rajendra Khetan who recently telephony was sold his shares in Spice Nepal to diaspora Nepalis. Spice Nepal has influential Nepali shareholders along with Russian and Indian investors and is said to be pressing for an early resumption of service because its deadline for launch expires in April. MIN BAJRACHARYA “We are ready to start, a lot PLAYING GAMES: Phones have become play stations, and Nepal of money is at stake here,” Telecom’s Sugad Ratna Kansakar (above) doesn’t know when phones explains Spice’s Indra will be restored. Subedi. The company has congestion. “We welcome the deposited Rs 290 million which competition, the choice is up to could be forfeited. Spice had the consumers,” NT’s Kansakar planned to distribute 300,000 told us. The main concern is not mobiles at its launch on the the quality of service or numbers Nepali new year next month and of users but who will qualify as reach a target of one million subscribers since the government subscribers in two years. will now be vetting all pre-paid Subedi claims Spice’s subscribers. Many subscribers are technology is much more giving up hope and want their advanced than NT’s and will be refunds from NT and UTL. Says more reliable and ease Kansakar: “We will ensure that everyone gets refunded with the money not yet used for their calls.”

KIRAN PANDAY 10 INTERNATIONAL 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237

Chidambaram’s ‘New Deal’

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ NEW DELHI - Nine months after being voted into power on a wave of public anger against pro-rich polices, the Congress Party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) - backed by the communists—has proposed a budget that may actually give a human face to economic MalaysiaMigrant workers return push for minimum wage reforms. The communist parties had only asked for an outlay of at least of $12 billion to be spent on education, health care, mid-day meals in ANIL NETTO in PENANG schools and farm development. But Finance Minister P Chidambaram has proposed a social package worth $ 16 billion in ore than half a million budget on Monday. enforcement personnel ‘’The discussions and debates Mand volunteer vigilantes between the UPA government pursued undocumented and the Left parties on the workers last week as the direction of economic polices seem to have had some deadline for ilelgal migrant impact,’’ conceded Prakash workers passed. Karat, politburo member in the Those arrested will be jailed, powerful Communist Party of whipped or deported. When it India -Marxist (CPI-M) which was discovered that some leads the Left Front. But he was Malaysian employers appeared worried that if tax revenue as to have taken advantage of the estimated by Chidambaram is impending crackdown and not fulfilled, the actual withheld wages due to these provisions for the long- targeted migrant workers, it neglected social sectors may threatened to sour diplomatic suffer. The communist parties, in pre- ties with Indonesia. budget meetings with the The problem of illegal finance minister and at public workers in Malaysia must be rallies had demanded that the tackled at source, said some For K George, an 85-year-old incumbent MTUC Secretary government, to which it provides analysts, pointing to the former vice-president of the General G Rajasekaran made a critical outside support, take syndicates and agents that lure Malaysian Trades Union clean sweep of all contested steps to recover tax arrears from the well-off and also the vast these workers and dupe them Congress (MTUC)—the umbrella union leadership positions. amounts of money they owe public sector banks. with false promises. Once here, body for trade unions in the Over the 22 years of Indeed the communist parties, which had joined hands with the migrant workers are left in a country—the solution is simple. Mahathir’s tenure, workers’ rights ideologically dissimilar Congress party with the single purpose of vulnerable position as, in many “Foreign workers must be were gradually whittled away. defeating the BJP, have been giving fierce warnings that their cases, their employers hold on allowed to join (Malaysian) Out of the more than 10 million support for the UPA coalition should not be taken for granted. As a result the budget, which Chidambaram himself described as a to their passports and their work unions,” he said. Had they been workers in Malaysia, fewer than ‘New Deal’, shows a 33 percent hike in the allocation for rural permits bar them from allowed, “We would have been 10 percent are trade union development to $4.5 billion. A pro-active feature of the budget is the switching jobs. able to minimise problems with members. This leaves the vast national food for work programme that started three months ago and Often, for the workers, it’s a illegal workers and unpaid majority of workers—including which now has allocations worth three billion dollars. The program case of either grin and bear it or wages.” George explained that migrant workers—vulnerable to aims to alleviate poverty and pays the poor, for work done, partly in run away and lose their the immigration status of exploitation. It is situation that cash and food grains. (IPS) passports, thus rendering migrant workers would have employers relish. In the past, themselves ‘illegal’. come to light much earlier when MTUC has adopted an ambivalent workers’ applications to join position towards migrant trade unions were processed. workers. Some unionists saw the “The unions could have taken influx of these workers as over the job of ensuring that depressing wages levels in the migrant workers had proper work country and thwarting attempts permits and immigration to lobby for a minimum wage. documents.” “We are looking at (the The MTUC will have to tackle situation of) workers, whether these and other issues after its they are local or foreign,” he said. stunning elections recently “Of course, the MTUC is focused swept in new leaders, raising on local workers but we cannot fresh hopes for workers. On 30 ignore the exploitation of any December, the team aligned to worker.” z (IPS) SPORTS 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 13

The boys of Sahara Club line up for a football Square impact practice session. Being consistently square will land you in the round hole more often here’s a magical feeling in hitting it perfectly off the sweet spot. No jerks and vibrations, just that buttery smooth feeling as the T ball soars effortlessly towards the target. Yes, one more enticing fascination of this sport that draws participants again and again. Once the sensation has been felt, you are as good as hooked. The reality is nobody hits the ball off the sweet spot with a square clubface on every shot. Even hitting half your shots this way is an unrealised dream for most. TEE BREAK Squaring the clubface at Deepak Acharya impact and hitting the ball straighter is arguably the hardest aspect of the game. When you look at the mechanics of a golf swing, it appears almost impossible to achieve. That’s especially true with the lower lofted (longer) clubs. The shorter, higher lofted clubs compensate for a wrong swing path and non-square clubface. That’s why many club golfers can hit their short irons to reasonably good standards but fail miserably to do Pokhara’s young champs the same with longer irons and the woods. How is it possible to accomplish this with all those unnatural twists and turns the body takes when swinging the club? An essential Abandoned boys aim high on the football field part of the sport and a hard one to master, this skill can be learnt. The idea to start with, is to find a way to do it often enough to make a RAMESH POUDEL in studies as well. Sahara takes Bishal Lama, 12, marked impact on your game. For this, you need to be aware of the in POKHARA care of their food and hostels practices dribbling the fundamentals that will lead to such a scenario. with money raised from donors. ball with the other boys. Most recreational golfers believe in squaring the clubface by ushil Bika is 12 years old. “It’s amazing how quickly the uncocking their wrists at impact. Yes, this is essential and part of the He fled from home and boys have been transformed,” says process but one must realise that it is a result of other factors and not S scavenged for plastic in Basanta Thakali of Sahara, “Till something consciously concentrated on. The two essential Pokhara’s garbage dumps to earn last year they were picking components leading to this are: The body turning through the shot enough to buy food. garbage, look at them now.” and the forearms rotating. Today, he is training to be a Indeed, they brim with football star and asked who he confidence and are proud of how wants to be when he grows up, far they have come. he says without hesitation: Bikram Basnet, 14, remembers “Ronaldo!” scavenging garbage, selling paper Like the boys of Brazil’s and plastic to recycle, being favelas who rose up to become chased by dogs, by shopkeepers national champions and then who thought he was a thief and international football stars, the harassed by the police. “It all boys of Pokhara’s streets are seems like a dream,” Bikram tells aiming high. The Sahara Club us tying his boots. “Now, all I based here has, for the past five want is to do well in studies and PICS: SUDARSHAN RANJIT years, been rescuing street be a great football player some studies, food, lodging and children and providing them day.” coaching. Luckily, the Aha Gold with a home and education. But Coach Dambar Gurung is full Cup Tournament earnings have six months ago, it decided to of praise for his boys. “They are been helpful and the shortfall start a football academy for learning very fast,” he says during has been met through donations former street children and took a training session at the stadium from Pokhrelis themselves. in 20 boys aged 10-14. under a spectacular backdrop of “We have taken responsibility They are from the Machhapuchhre. “At this rate, of the boys for five years,” says underprivileged families, they’ll all be champions.” Thakali, “and we’ll keep on indigenous groups and dalits. Basanta Thakali says Sahara taking new children.” Performers They go through four hours of Club’s real intention is to rescue Nabin Gurung and Mahesh intensive football training every street children and give them an Gurung have organised charity morning and evening with a opportunity to do well and shows in the UK to raise money Uncocking the wrists is the final step. It is a natural reaction to the professional coach. The rest of contribute to society. Football for Pokhara’s football academy uncoiling of the body and the momentum of the swing, provided that a the day they attend classes at the was just an idea and it took off and Thakali hopes money won’t reasonably good down swing path has been attained. If the swing path Naba Prabhat Secondary School. immediately. It’s not been easy: it be a problem in future. is too far inside or outside the target line, the wrists won’t uncock Many of the boys are not just costs Rs 1.6 million a year to take correctly. good in sports but top the class care of the children, pay for their www.saharaclubpokhara.com If the body turns through the impact area, the hands have a natural chance to remain square. If the body is not turning, it leads to an inconsistent swing path and a conscious manipulation of the hands in trying to square the clubface. To get the feeling of a proper turn through the hitting area, get on the green and try small swings by rotating your body. If you do this often, it will become a habit leading to consistent shot making. Allow your professional instructor to get you started and you can be sure your ball is going to be flying towards the target more often.

Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] 12 REVIEW 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 Post-February First postmodern democracy skillful mix of history, reportage, memoir and Democracy is a literary protagonist in Manjushree Thapa’s latest book A travelogue, Manjushree Thapa’s Forget Kathmandu: An elusive democracy, which every blind clench to premiership. to not knowing a single name Elegy for Democracy reconstructs interest group in Nepal today is Real democracy, now, must free from the pollutions of three centuries of Nepali history frantically trying to bait and not just look like a democracy, corruption and self- as an elongated journey towards define. but act like one as well: ‘whereas centredness. Is it not time now individualism and freedom. The key feature of in earlier spells of democracy, that we come to terms with our What distinguishes this book postmodernism is deconstruction. Nepalis were asked to be content diversified pasts and presents from mainstream history books is It is the rejection of the sovereign with a few freedoms (assembly, within the boundaries of our its stance: the Elegy revisits autonomous individual with an speech), we now want social and common territories? Nepali history from the point of emphasis on diversified, economic equality as well’. The Elegy is open-ended. view of a history-dweller rather collective, anonymous experience. The conclusion of Forget The book needs to be read in than a history-broker. Postmodernism in Nepal Kathmandu somehow conjunction with the rapid undergoes two distinct outpaces the rest of book and unravelling of the post- BOOK transformations: First, from a the 256.5 pages boil down to a February First events, which Asthi Sakhwa medieval country ruled by either two half-page wish list. While might very well turn out to be the solitary Shahs or Ranas with the diagnosis feels sound, the the earnest forbearer of the It is at once a celebration of the help of their Pandey or Thapa prescription is less persuasive, conclusion of that ‘Unfinished the power of the literary mukhtiyars, to a modern country which, ironically, might reflect Revolution’. monologue and a cry of outrage at caught in a continual power the current state of Nepal. Still, the reality in which the present struggle between the royals and there are a number of weaknesses Asthi Sakhwa is a doctoral student Nepali state and society are party leaders. The second in the diagnosis. For example, and lives in Washington DC. trapped. Elegy is woven around transformation (the visibility- the book hardly ever recalls the theme that Nepal is heading constraining ‘haze’, as Manjushree Newar history and culture, towards what she calls a puts it) that had enveloped the which prevailed in Kathmandu ‘postmodern democracy’. Starting country making it mandatory that and which the book urges us to with an account of the it worshipped one distinct figure, forget. The 32-page ‘History Narayanhiti massacre and its is blown away to welcome the MIN BAJRACHARYA Exhibit’ chapter hardly speaks of aftermath, she goes back to trace global wave of democracy into the breathing protagonist in the equally vibrant histories and the medieval history of chaos and Kathmandu. The central figure of almost all of Manjushree’s cultures that lived outside that intrigue in search for evidence to worship finally disappears, only writings, one cannot help but memory-unworthy Kathmandu either validate or falsify to be replaced by endless notice that her post-February until the second last chapter conspiracy theories. squabbles among the various First writings come as a natural when democracy starts The author’s inclination interest groups including the extension of her concluding dismantling. towards the postmodern is Maoists. chapter in Forget Kathmandu, The author is not alone in reflected in her willingness to This also sets the stage for ‘The Unfinished Revolution’. this peril. All Nepali today bend, test and challenge every Manjushree’s post-February First Postmodern democracy can now would confess to knowing less perceived rule and statement: an writings, where her cry is for ‘the no longer be associated solely to about their own selves than Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for approach that also leads the right to talk about everything and the lawless and objectiveless about the ‘other’–the almighty Democracy reader to ponder whether anything’ and not to reinstate any street protests of the student God, the red revolution, the by Manjushree Thapa postmodernism is not the very of the ruling figures. unions, nor the UML’s endless glamorous west, the oily sands. Penguin/Viking New Delhi, 2005 essence of that increasingly Not least because democracy is rostrum-gheraos, nor the Koiralas’ Every Nepali would also confess Rs 560

Editor’s Choice Award, Kailash Gyawali www.klash-design.com Young and peppy, this is a bilingual website with German and English. Kailash maintains a daily blog giving a firsthand World wide Wave account of a Nepali youth’s life in today’s Kathmandu. He also posts interesting The young take on the world charging photos to go with his blog entries. Take a look at the photos of the zoo animals and a through the Internet photo made up of the letter k. This is more than just design, it is lifestyle. The third Wave Web Winner 2004 (www.com.np) awards organised by our sister publication, the monthly youth magazine, Wave, took place on 25 February. Of the more Best Site-Technicality, than 150 websites submitted, 124 were shortlisted for the final contest sponsored by Chandra Man Maharjan ITNTI with xtremenepal.com and DVD.com as co-sponsors. Here’s our review of the six www.multimedia.com.np/cmans/ winning websites: One look and you’ll see why this website Wave Web Winner 2004, Prajjwal Shakya was a sure-fire winner for this category http://prassanna.150m.com award. A Flash XML, PHP application, it is This website not only has class, creativity at its best and the cute sophistication and style, it has illustrations will keep you occupied even comprehensibility to boot. Designed in while waiting. The layout and design is just orange and black, it might as well be the as attractive too. Check it out for yourself. official website for the WWW contest. After all, it’s only a click away. Using the main title package, Prajjwal has laid it out with panache. For those planning Best Site-Visual Appeal, to participate next year, check this website Shrijit Rajbhandari out for not just its winning streak but also www.geocities.com/officialstoopid/ for the 02 WWW’s interview. Add your own How adorable can scrawls on a crushed formula and who knows, you might be the page off a spiral notebook be? Visit this next Wave Web Winner! website and you’ll see. The official site for the band Inside 2 Stoopid Triangles, don’t get taken in by the first page though. Inside Best Site-Content, Indira Sharma 2 Stoopid Triangles is a whirl of impressive www.nepalnari.com rebellious adolescent work that belies first The only female winner of WWW 2004, impression. It definitely catches the eye! Indira’s done a great job. Designed for the ultimate women with beauty tips, fashion, Best Site-User Friendliness, cuisine and more, it also tackles serious Digital Max Team issues that the Nepali nari deals with. www.multimedia.com.np While its bulletin Take It Easy shares ideas This website design is simple, elegant and such as hair damage control, the Nepalnari as plain as the nose on your face. It is the Special gives an in-depth insight into the perfect website for dummies, first-time and situation of Nepali women and how far multiple users but it is not exactly boring they’ve come. It also lists the girls’ either. All about how to redesign small schools, women’s colleges in Nepal and businesses to conquer the market through the first Nepali women to accomplish the Internet, this website equips you with all various feats. Interesting and enlightening, the tools and tricks of the trade. As they say, this is girl power Nepali-style. keep it simple and you just might win! 14 CITY 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237

ABOUT TOWN Michelle McNally (Rani Mukherjee) is special in more ways than one. She cannot see, hear or speak. She inhabits a world FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS of infinite black, of a seamless, endless void where nothing ™ Ceremony and Stillness Photographs by Frances Klatzel at reaches her and she reaches nothing. On the sheer will of her Siddhartha Art Gallery. Until 5 March. 4411122 ferocious rage against destiny, Michelle struggles to stay afloat ™ Khumbu Himal Photos by Kim Hong Sung at Gallery Nine, in the impenetrable whirlpool her life has become. Into this Lajimpat. Until 5 March. 4428694 devastating isolation enters a battle weary teacher, Debraj Sahai ™ Reflections from Tibet Black and white photographs by (Amitabh Bachchan). With a single-minded obsession, Debraj Kevin Bubriski at Indigo Gallery. Until 6 March. 4413580

AL CINEMAAL CINEMA CINEMA AL CINEMAAL AL CINEMAAL takes up the challenge to lead this wild, uncontrollable child into ™ Smile Photos of Nepali icons by Kumar Ale at Nepal Art AL CINEMA the light of knowledge. Thus begins a journey of two headstrong Council, Baber Mahal. Until 9 March. 4466956 individuals. ™ Kathmandu & Kali Gandaki Exhibition of photographs by Anagarika Sugata at GAA, Thamel, till 18 March. Proceeds go to the Call 4442220 for show timings Chairo Gumba Restoration Fund. 4414785, [email protected] www.jainepal.com ™ Magic Pencil Artworks by Britain’s best children’s illustrators at the Now Showing: Black JAI NEPJAI NEP NEP JAI NEPJAI JAI NEPJAI British Council, Lainchor. Until 6 May. 4410798 JAI NEP ™ Surya Mandala Newari Paubas at Hyatt Regency, Boudha. 4491234 KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY EVENTS There was a slight improvement in the air quality of Kathmandu Valley last week, ™ Friday Fiesta at Latin Quarter Salsa Bar, Baber Mahal Revisited on 4 mainly because of a slightly clearer day on Wednesday when the rains flushed March. www.salsanepal.com down pollutants and a fresh northwesterly breeze blew away the dust. However, ™ Book release Biplab Pratik’s Nahareko Manchhe on 5 March at 4.30 PM at the concentration of particles smaller than 10 microns in urban Kathmandu is still Gallery Nine, Lajimpat. 4441689 way above national and international standards. As we move from winter to spring, ™ Shiva Ratri on 8 March, also International Women’s Day. we can expect the air quality to improve slightly but not significantly. ™ Jat Sodhnu Jogi Ko Play directed by Anup Baral at Gurukul, Dhobikhola, Setopool, 5PM. Till 10 April. 4466956 20 - 26 February 2005 in micrograms per cubic meter. ™ Art workshop for kids at Buddha Gallery. 4441689 Source: www. mope.gov.np ™ Rugby Practice Every Saturday for both experienced and beginners. Contact Gopal Chhetri at 4435939, [email protected] Good < 60 ™ Sanibaar Mela Every Saturday at the Dharara Bakery Café, 12AM-5PM. Ok 61 to 120 ™ The God Dance of Kathmandu Valley Tuesdays at Hotel Vajra. Unhealthy 121 to 350 4271545 Harmful 351 to 425 kmfu'gb]lv j}zfv;Ddsf] cjlw MUSIC Hazardous >425 xfjfx'/L a9L cfpg] ;do xf] . ™ Live Jazz by JCS trio and McTwisters on Monday at New Orleans Café, cfuf] afNbf ;'/lIft 7fpFdfdfq Putalisadak Patan H Thamel Kirtipur Bhaktapur Matsyagaun Thamel on 7 March. 4700736. afNg], ;nfO{, nfO6/, d6\6Lt]n ™ Live with Abhaya and the Steam Injuns at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 cflb HjngzLn j:t' s]6fs]6Ln] ™ Live Music Everyday at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED e]6\g] 7fpdfF g/fVg ] . s6fs] 6LnfO] { ™ Good Time Blues Band at Rum Doodle, Fridays, 7PM onwards. hyfefjL cfuf] afNbf x'g ;Sg] 4701208, 4701107, [email protected] cfunfuLsf b'4{6gfx¿af/] ™ Classical music, 7PM onwards, Fridays at Hotel Vajra. 4271545 With Shivaratri around the corner, we ;D‰fO{–a'‰fO{ ug]{ / o:tf s'/ ™ Jatra Saturday nights with Looza, 6.30 PM onwards. 4256622 must traditionally expect another last ™ Jukebox experience Weekends at Rox Bar. 4491234 cold blast from the west before we fx¿af6 ;hu /xg hgrtgf] a9fpg] ™ Jazz at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lajimpat. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7.45 PM. can finally declare winter over. And sfodf{ ;xofu] u/f }+ . right on cue, we have a huge low >L % sf ] ;/sf/ FOOD pressure circulation over northern India ™ Strength of a Woman Set lunch or dinner at Hotel Shangri-La, Lajimpat on that should be here over the weekend ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Women’s Day, 8 March for Rs 650. 4412999 bringing some drizzles across the ;"rgf ljefu ™ Arniko Special Lunch at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 central and western midhills and snow ™ Krishnarpan Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 flurries in the higher valleys. The ™ Barbecue Dinner Every Friday at the Summit Hotel. 5521810 mercury has been rising steadily and ™ Thai Food at Rox, Hyatt Regency on weekends, 12.30 AM-3PM. 4491234 the minima will climb into the double ™ Delicacies Pastas and snacks at Roadhouse Café, Jawalakhel. 5521755 digits by Tuesday. But because of ™ Sizzling Weekend Treat at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999 cloud cover over the weekend, the ™ Genuine Thai cuisine at Royal Lotus, Bakhundole. 5521231 maximum temperature will stay in the ™ Farm House Café Unlimited nature at Park Village Hotel. 4375280 low 20s. Next week will be much ™ Café Bahal Newari and continental cuisine at Kathmandu Guest House, warmer. Thamel. 4700632 KATHMANDU VALLEY ™ Barbecue-Ban Bhoj at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ™ Vegetarian Creations at Stupa View Restaurant. 4480262 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ™ The Beer Garden at Vaijayantha, Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ™ Dwarika’s Thali Lunch at the Heritage courtyard. 4479488 ™ The Tharu Kitchen at Jungle Base Camp. [email protected] 23-9 23-8 22-8 25-9 25-10 GETAWAYS ™ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Celebrate spring. 4361500 ™ Shivapuri Cottage Nature, peace and bird watching at 6,000 m. 4354331 ™ Chiso Chiso Hawama One night two days package for Rs 1,700 at Club Himalaya. 4411706 ™ Jungle Base Camp Lodge, Bardia, special package and prices. [email protected] ™ Malaysia Dream Holidays Packages starting from Rs 45,500 per person. 4247215 extn 013-14, [email protected] ™ Getaway package Night’s stay at Godavari Village Resort, includes dinner and breakfast. 5560675 ™ AAA Organic Farm Rs 950 with three meals. 6631734 ™ Temple Tiger One night package $250. 4263480 ™ Machan Wildlife Jungle Resort special packages available. 4225001 ™ Weekend Special at Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 4375280 ™ Jomsom Mountain Resort Two nights-three days at Rs 5,999 for Nepalis, $199 for expats including airfare and food. 4496110, [email protected] 16 4 - 10 MARCH 2005 #237 Madam Chair and Respected Sofas

peech delivered by the Joined Secretary of once a year. This is why we propose that ISSN 1814-2613 www.nepalitimes.com the Ministry of Women, Labour and Home henceforth every day be devoted to women except S Affairs on the occasion of the International April First, which as a purely token gesture will be Day of Women. (Please check against delivery.) set aside by the United Nations as the International Day for Men. Going by the Madam Chair, Respected Sofas, Distinguished tumultuous applause, I hereby declare that motion Desks, Honorific Ministers, Your Excellence the passed. Donors, Members of the Muzzled Media, Ladies I don’t need to remind those of you present and, last and also the least, you latecomers at the here that it is a scientifically proven fact that back who are an utter disgrace to the male sex. women hold up only half the sky. In fact, if it Now that Nepal Television has finally arrived wasn’t for us members of the unfair sex holding and member states of the Much-maligned up the other half the sky as we know it would fall. Movement However, it must be said that in Nepal women such as Cuba, have taken great strides. Admittedly, these strides UNDER MY HAT North Korea, have not been as great as the strides we menfolks Kunda Dixit Syria, Laos have taken but, hey, we’re not here to gloat. and Togo For example, us men have developed a great have shown that they stand shoulder-to-shoulder deal of expertise in vitally important activities with us in our hour of need, we can with the such as making hilarious sounds by cupping our permission of the Chair all heave a collective sigh palms under our armpits. Too illustrate my point, of relief and move on quickly to the next item on let me demonstrate. Now, show me one woman the agenda which is the International Day of who can do that. As you can see, the fairer sex has Women that we are about to mark today amidst a lot of catching up to do to be at par with us men much fanfare, tongue-lashing and lip-service. who are governed by the left hemispheres of our Since I don’t see anyone raising a hand in brain (unlike women who are governed by the objection, it is so decided. western hemisphere). This evolutionary trait gives Right at the outset before proceeding any us males superior powers of deduction, analysis further let me state that as far as we are concerned, and an ambidextrous ability to scratch and sniff and if it was up to us, we’d declare all 365 days in while simultaneously monopolising the tv the year as International Days of Women. Hic. I remote. It is this capacity to multitask that makes think I speak for a majority of my male colleagues men such great hunter gatherers to this day and when I say that we would not be doing justice to this is why our country is in the state it is in the admiration, devotion and affection we have today. traditionally reserved for members of the female With that, I would like to end my two words species in general and their Nepali sub-species in so that I can get back home to watch myself on the particular if we celebrated Women’s Day only evening news.

CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59